US Open tennis 2019 live: Coco Gauff, 15, wins again; Nick Kyrgios advances
Coco Gauff, 15, is making another electrifying, unlikely grand slam charge | VIDEO
Welcome to coverage of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament from Flushing Meadows, New York.
12.30pm: Just the beginning, Coco declares
Coco Gauff, pumping her fists and screaming “Come on!” to celebrate a grand slam victory, is already becoming a regular occurrence, AP reports.
At 15, she’s now the youngest player to reach the US Open’s third round since 1996, quickly proving her captivating run to week two at Wimbledon last month was no fluke.
And what a showdown comes next: Gauff will face No.1 seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka on Saturday.
“This is just the beginning, I promise,” Gauff told an appreciative crowd that chanted her name at Louis Armstrong Stadium during a 6-2 4-6 6-4 win over Timea Babos of Hungary.
“I was tested a lot. I think we were both just testing each other,” Gauff said. “If I didn’t win that last point, maybe she would have won the match.”
11.50am: Coco colossal
American 15-year-old Coco Gauff has advanced to a third-round showdown with top-seed and defending champion Naomi Osaka by defeating Hungarian qualifier Timea Babos 6-2 4-6 6-4, AFP reports.
Gauff broke serve in the last game of the nearly 2 and a half-hour match. The partisan crowd backed her loudly, chanting “Let’s go, Coco!” during the final changeover.
Gauff, who made a sensational run to the fourth round at Wimbledon before falling to eventual champion Simona Halep, became the youngest player in the last 32 at a US Open since Russian Anna Kournikova made the last 16 in 1996.
11.30am: Wonder Woz
Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki has recovered from a set down to edge Danielle Collins and reach the third round. Wozniacki, the 19th seed, has made the final in New York twice (2009, 2014), so could be a factor in the second week.
11.10am: 15yo star in action
Child star Coco Gauff is locked in a battle royale with Timea Babos on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Gauff took the first set 6-2, dropped the second 4-6 and is locked at 2-2 in the decider. The American is ranked 140 in the world, while her Hungarian opponent is 112.
Courtney Walsh 10.50am: Kyrgios shrugs off drama
Nick Kyrgios has shrugged off an off-court controversy to move to within reach of his best ever US Open performance in New York.
The controversial Australian, who is under investigation for branding the ATP Tour “pretty corrupt” in a comment he has since clarified, was far too classy for French wildcard Antoine Hoang.
The 24-year-old played without histrionics when progressing 6-4 6-2 6-4 in 1hr 58min to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows for the fourth time from seven attempts.
He was not quizzed directly about the latest controversy that sees him facing an investigation that could well lead to his suspension in an on-court interview.
But Kyrgios did reference the manner when discussing what he would say to a child if he was asked whether it was worth pursuing a career in tennis.
“If tennis is your dream, go after it, have fun,” he said. “Someone is telling me not to be like me, but people are here still, watching me. It doesn’t make sense.”
He faces a separate investigation stemming from a tantrum in Cincinnati that saw him fined $167,000.
While those matters proceed, Kyrgios is progressing through the US Open draw.
The Australian No.1 will now play Russian Andrey Rublev for a spot in the last 16, which would be the first time he has made the second week in New York.
His most recent fourth-round appearance at a major came in Melbourne last year. Rublev is a clear danger, having beaten Roger Federer in Cincinnati a fortnight ago.
The 21-year-old Russian was able to progress today when French veteran Gilles Simon retired injured after dropping the first set.
Kyrgios’s victory over Hoang was relatively controversy-free, a couple of moments aside.
The first occurred before Kyrgios had played a point, with the umpire informing the right-hander that he was unable to play with his shirt collar up.
It promoted a Nike slogan reading “Just do you”. Kyrgios called for a supervisor and demanded to be shown the relevant rule, stating he would not play until this occurred.
Once satisfied, and with his collar firmly down, the Australian started swiftly.
The 28th seed broke the French wildcard in the opening game with some stellar shotmaking and then crushed a couple of aces in the next.
Hoang certainly showed promise throughout the first set but the Australian served strongly and was able to close out the first set without facing a break point.
The dual-grand slam quarter-finalist swiftly seized the upper-hand in the second set when breaking in the opening game once again. A second break for a 4-1 lead followed, with the Canberran in complete control.
Similarly to the opening two sets, Kyrgios started the third quickly when breaking the Hoang serve once again. He gave up the break but was able to regroup immediately.
Then he became upset at the timing of a decision by the umpire to accept at line call challenge when serving at 4-3, 40-15 in the set.
“How late do you want to make the call? I don’t give a f..k,” Kyrgios said on court.
He argued with the umpire and once again demanded the supervisor be called to the court, but he was able to hold his final two service games to progress.
“He was no easy opponent. He had obviously beaten a quality opponent in the first round, so I knew it was going to be tough,” he said.
10.25am: Kyrgios wins!
The 28th seed advances to the third round with a 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over Antoine Hoang in 1hr 58min. He’ll play now Russia’s world No.43 Andrey Rublev. A fourth-round encounter with either 24th seed Matteo Berrettini or fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin looms early next week.
A well-behaved Kyrgios had only one complaint during the match, calling for the tournament supervisor at 4-3 in the third set when he felt the chair umpire allowed Antoine Hoang a late challenge. The Australian was probably in the right, it has to be noted.
I believe the chair umpire called the game a point early, so Nick Kyrgios wanted to be absolutely sure this time 😂 pic.twitter.com/xticrA3IHi
— Paid man gets bored (@cjzero) August 30, 2019
10am: Quietly effective
Nick Kyrgios isn’t slowing down in the third set, breaking Antoine Hoang early to take a 3-1 lead. The Australian is all business — barely a peep out of him as he rolls towards a place in the third round.
Daniel Sankey 9.33am: Kyrgios takes second set
It’s oh-so easy right now for Australian 28th seed Nick Kyrgios, who’s one set away from the US Open third round after taking the second set against Antoine Hoang. He leads 6-4 6-2 having broken the Frenchman’s service twice in that set to go with nine aces, making it 18 for the match.
Things going smoothly for @NickKyrgios on court. Two sets up and in control. Third set is live now on ESPN 2. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/D6fvsKsUk4
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) August 29, 2019
Courtney Walsh 9.25am: Kokkinakis withdraws before Nadal clash
Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis has been denied a moment on one of the world’s biggest stages by another injury issue.
The South Australian was due to play Spanish legend Rafael Nadal on Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight but has withdrawn from the tournament with a shoulder injury.
It continues his shocking run of luck with injury, with the talented 23-year-old unable to play with any regularity over the last four years.
Schedule update:
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2019
Thanasi Kokkinakis has withdrawn from the US Open and Nadal will advance via walkover.
The Cilic/Stebe match has been moved to the 2nd night match in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
📖: https://t.co/VDHOwg5t2j pic.twitter.com/qkmqeFKc4p
Kokkinakis was in sound form and appeared in good shape in his opening round victory over Ilya Ivashka, which was his first win at grand slam level since a third round appearance at the French Open in 2015.
Afterwards, Nick Kyrgios commented that, importantly, it seemed Kokkinakis had pulled up well.
But clearly there has been an issue that has flared since the victory. He woke the morning after feeling pain in a shoulder he has previously had surgery on.
The 23-year-old was also forced to withdraw from the Australian Open while leading a first-round match with a pectoral injury that had bothered him for much of the year.
Nadal’s path to the final, already eased with “Big Three” rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on the opposite side of the draw, had opened up further before Nadal got the break of extra rest.
Four other top-10 rivals were ousted in the first round at Flushing Meadows, leaving possible quarter-finals foe Alexander Zverev, the sixth seed from Germany, as his highest-rated rival. And Zverev battled through his second five-setter today just to reach the third round.
with AFP
Daniel Sankey 9.01am: Kyrgios takes first set
It’s a businesslike Nick Kyrgios who’s taken the first set 6-4 against Antoine Hoang, clinching it with a brilliant kick serve for a second service ace.
The first set lasted just 35 minutes, with Kyrgios conceding just five points on his serve throughout. The Aussie already has 9 aces and 14 winners to Hoang’s sole ace and seven winners.
Daniel Sankey 8.40am: Kyrgios’ fashion statement
Nick Kyrgios made a fashion statement as he stepped on court for his US Open second round match against Frenchman Antoine Hoang today.
The controversial Australian, who was fined $160,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct at Cincinnati earlier this month, is part of Nike’s stable of athletes. But in true Kyrgios fashion, he had his own take on Nike’s timeless “Just Do It” motto hidden under his collar.
The words “Just Do You” were visible for all to see when Kyrgios raised his collar before the match. When the match started, however, it was all business for Kyrgios, who flipped his collar back down and proceeded to snare an early break.
He currently leads 3-1 in the first set with Hoang about to serve in the fifth game.
1 game. 3 aces.@NickKyrgios is off to a quick start in Grandstand...🔥#USOpen pic.twitter.com/PbXCRJQba5
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2019
Daniel Sankey 8.20am: Kyrgios ready to rumble
Australian 28th seed Nick Kyrgios is on court and warming up for his US Open second round match against Frenchman Antoine Hoang. Kyrgios will start a warm favourite against Hoang, a 23-year-old who’s ranked no.104 in the world. It’s his first appearance at the US Open and just his fifth appearance in a Grand Slam tournament, his best result coming at the French Open this year, when he made the third round.
Daniel Sankey 8.05am: Halep dumped in second round
Reigning Wimbledon champion and former world no.1 Simona Halep is out of the US Open, losing to 23-year-old American qualifier Taylor Townsend in three sets, 2-6 6-3 7-6 (4).
Townsend, who wasted match points when serving for the win at 5-4 in the third set before Romanian Halep broke back to level, wiped away tears in her post-match interview.
“This means a lot, it’s been a long journey,” the world no.116 said.
STUNNER on Ashe!@TaylorTownsend rallies to defeat No. 4 seed Halep 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 in an absolute thriller...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/PbvHeaYen8
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2019
“I had a match point against (Kiki) Bertens at Wimbledon, I’ve had some really close matches this year and just haven’t been able to get over the hump, so this match means so much and gives me so much confidence to know that I can do it.
Townsend will now play another Romanian, world no.106 Sorana Cirstea, in the third round.
7.45am: Suarez Navarro docked $40,000
In the latest example of a player fined thousands of dollars at a Grand Slam tournament for what tennis officials deemed a lack of effort, 28th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain was docked $40,000 at the US Open today, two days after retiring from her first-round match with a lower-back injury.
She was due to collect $58,000 as a first-round loser in singles at Flushing Meadows.
But tournament referee Soeren Friemel said Suarez Navarro, who can appeal the decision, “did not perform to the required professional standards” and so was punished for violating the first-round performance rule. She stopped playing after losing the first set of her match against Timea Babos by a 6-2 score. The Grand Slam Board introduced the rule before the 2018 season to deter players who enter tournaments while injured from retiring during first-round matches. Suarez Navarro also retired from a match at the hard-court tournament in Toronto earlier this month.
“Not the easiest weeks for me dealing with some back pain,” she tweeted today. “We made our best effort to be ready and play our heart out, but it got really worse during my opening match in New York.”
Not the easiest weeks for me dealing with some back pain. We made our best effort to be ready and play our heart out, but it got really worse during my opening match in New York. Sad to leave this way from events I deeply appreciate. pic.twitter.com/4tWoDG3UVh
— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) August 29, 2019
Courtney Walsh 7.22am: Popyrin into third round
Alexei Popyrin has staged a strong comeback to reach the third round of the US Open for the first time in what is a breakout season for the promising Australian.
The 20-year-old, who is playing in New York for the first time at senior level, trailed Kazakhstan veteran Mikhail Kukushkin 6-2 4-2 in warm conditions before seizing control of the match from midway through the second set.
The emerging talent, who has won at least a round at all four grand slams this year in his first full season on tour, posted a 2-6 7-5 6-3 6-2 victory in 2hr 35min.
With former US Open semi-finalist Wally Masur watching courtside, Popyrin regrouped after a concentration lapse in the third set when, while in control, he conceded a service break after blowing an easy smash on his own game point.
But he did not let the setback break his resolve. Impressively, the former French Open boys champion lifted his intensity further in the following game to reassert his dominance in a quality performance.
He joins compatriot Alex de Minaur, who earlier ousted 31st seed Cristian Garin in straight sets, in the third round.
The two 20-year-olds represent the future of Australian tennis, having performed impressively at junior level before making a swift transition to senior ranks.
They may yet be joined by elder compatriots Nick Kyrgios, 24, and Thanasi Kokkinakis, 23, though he shapes as an extreme outsider in his clash with Rafael Nadal on Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight.
Popyrin will now play Matteo Berrettini, the 24th seeded Italian who played better at critical moments when defeating Sydneysider Jordan Thompson 7-5 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-1.
Daniel Sankey 6.45am: Popyrin in action, Thompson falls
Australia’s Jordan Thompson is out of the US Open, falling in four sets to Italian 24th seed Matteo Berrettini 7-5 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-1.
Thompson, in the same quarter of the draw as countryman Nick Kyrgios, still manages to take home a very tidy $100,000 for his efforts.
Berrettini will play the winner of the match between unseeded Australian 20-year-old Alexei Popyrin and Kazakhastan’s world no.47 Mikhail Kukushkin. Popyrin currently leads two sets to one (2-6 7-5 6-3 0-1) and it’s on serve in the fourth set.
It would be a huge scalp for Popyrin if he can win from this position. Kukushkin — 11 years Popyrin’s senior and has been ranked as high as no.39 in the world — made the fourth round at Wimbledon this year and could move to a career-high ranking if he replicates that effort in this tournament.
Courtney Walsh 6.30am: Aussies in action today
As Alex de Minaur moved into the US Open third round in convincing fashion in New York today, Ash Barty has learned the identity of her next opponent.
The world no.2 will tackle Maria Sakkari for the third time this year after the talented Greek defeated Peng Shuai 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-2 in a match held over to today due to rain.
Barty leads their head-to-head 3-1 and has beaten the 30th seed in their two outings to date this year.
Six Australians were scheduled for second round matches at Flushing Meadows today. Ajla Tomljanovic was beaten in three sets by 21st seed Anna Kontaveit, Jordan Thompson lost in four sets to Italian 24th seed Matteo Berrettini, while Nick Kyrgios (7.15am vs Frenchman Antoine Hoang) and Thanasi Kokkinakis (10.15am vs Rafael Nadal) are in action later this morning.
Young gun Alexei Popyrin is currently locked at one set apiece in a second-round match against Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin.
Read the full story here.
6am: Osaka, Gauff clash looms
Reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka swept into the third round while Alexander Zverev clawed through another five-set marathon overnight, but Petra Kvitova crashed out as organisers sought to play catch up following heavy rain.
Top seed Osaka proved too strong for 53rd-ranked Magda Linette of Poland, sweeping to a 6-2, 6-4 victory and setting up a potential showdown with 15-year-old American sensation Coco Gauff for a spot in the last 16.
Twenty-two singles ties were pushed back from Wednesday after a steady downpour limited play to the two principal show courts in New York, beefing Thursday’s schedule up to 54 matches across both halves of the singles draws.
In charge. 👊
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2019
Naomi Osaka breezes through the opening set, taking it 6-2 over Magda Linette.@Naomi_Osaka_ | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/E7RsYYLGFE
Osaka awaits the winner between teenager Gauff, the world number 140 who reached the fourth round in July at Wimbledon, or 112th-ranked Hungarian qualifier Timea Babos.
Gauff can become the youngest woman to reach the last 32 in New York since Anna Kournikova in 1996.
Sixth seed Zverev survived a second successive five-set battle as he outlasted American Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
Andrea Petkovic knocked out Czech sixth seed Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, to reach the women’s third round for the first time since 2015.
💪💪
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2019
A major upset in Louis Armstrong Stadium as @andreapetkovic defeats No. 6 seed Kvitova in straight sets...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/mEH8iVJhhy
German world number 88 Petkovic, whose best US Open showing was a 2011 quarter-final run, strung together successive main draw wins for just the second time this season in a 6-4, 6-4 triumph.
Britain’s Dan Evans took out French 25th seed Lucas Pouille in four sets to book a clash with five-time US Open champion Roger Federer, while Denis Kudla awaits world number one Novak Djokovic after the American beat 27th seed Dusan Lajovic of Serbia.
Additional reporting: Daniel Sankey
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